Sanitary receptacle



H. E. AMES.

SANITARY RECEPTACLE. APPLx'cATloNHLEDs'EPT-25.1918.

Patenied June 22, 11929. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

.f "SS-- f H. E. AMES.

SANITARY RECEPTACLE.

APPUCATION FILED sEPT.25,1918.

Patented June 22, 1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

lill

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SANITARY RECEPTACLE.

Specincaton of Letters Patent Patented June 2.2., 1,920-

Application vfiled September 25, 1918. Serial No. 255,686.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that l, HOWARD E. AMES, a citizen of the United States, residing at Vashington, in the District .ot Columbia, 'have invented certain new and useful lmprovements in Sanitary Receptacles; vand l do hereby Vdecla-re the following to be a full, clear, and exact description ot' the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use .the same.

My invention relates to sanitary vessels intended for -use in hospitals, sani-tariums, trenches, or other places where it is desired to keep garbage or other similar material protected in a vessel which automatically closes and is protected from lies, and is also protected from the invasion Vor animals,

' such'as cats, rats, dogs .or the like, and which keeps out rai-n or' snow, when used ont of doors. Y

In the trenches particularly, it is found that the garbage or other like material attracts tlies innumerable tending to spread contagion, and the suns rays cause the same to putrety and create offensive odors; and it is the object of my invention to provide a receptacle or plurality Jof receptacles, in which all such material vcan be Jkept in a closed and sealed condition, except when it is desired to temporarily open the receptacle to empty the same.

My invention is also intended to ,provide a receptacle, in which solid and liquid matter may be kept separate, such, for instance, as vegetable parings, Acorn husks, bones, or the like in one compartment, and slops or the like in the other.

My invention is also intended to provide a knock-down receptacle, the various parts of which may be standardized, and in which the main receptacle and also Athe inclosed receptacles may be nested for shipment, like strawberry boxes, and in'which the tops and other parts may be stored in the upper receptacle oi" the nest. Furthermore, by standardizing the parts it will not be necessary to have .each part it each individual receptacle, and injured or missing yparts may be quickly supplied. Moreover, if one .of the receptacles, or any of its component parts, is damaged, the entire receptacle or the various component parts thereof may be readily replaced from the standard stock on hand. Y

My invention also consists in arranging the parts so that they may be quickly Aassembled, or disassembled for purposes of transportation and shipment.

My invention will be more fully understood after reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like parts are indicated by similar reference symbols throughout the several views, and in which Figure 1 represents a plan view of the complete receptacle, with the top in the closed position.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation ol the complete receptacle shown in Fig. l, showing the top in the closed position, and illustrating the means for automatically lifting the top incident to the `operation of raising the bail. Fig. .3 is a similar view tof Fig. f2, but shows the top lifted and Vthe receptacle in the open position.

Fig. t shows a central vertical section through the receptacle along'the line 4 4 `of Fig. l, parts being shown in elevation.

Fig. 5 is a detail showing :the detachable seat.

Fig. 6 shows one of the detachable loops used in assembling the parts; and

Fig. 7 shows one of the detachable U-bolts used in assembling the parts.

A represents the main receptacle, having the front wall A inclined forward for convenience in .emptying the same, and having the rear walls A2, the side walls A3 and A4 and the vbottom A5.

The upper .edges of the various sides of `the receptacle Vare beaded, and a reinforcing wire a is inserted, as shown in Fig. Lt, and the iront wall A of the receptacle A is cut away somewhat, as at ao, see Fig. 4, so that the contents may :be more conveniently poured out; this cut-away portion being closed by the overhanging edge of the cover, as will be hereinafter described.

The reinforcing rod a at each upper edge .of each side of .the receptacle is looped, as Aat a2, to form a hinge bearing for the cover, see Figs. 2 and 3; and va handle A@ is connected to the back of the receptacle for convenience in emptying the same. This handle A@ is preferably detachably connected to the receptacle by U-shaped loops c3, shown in detail in Fig. 6, the .U portions of said loops .being projected through Slots cut in .the side of the receptacle and .engaging the kends of the handle. hese ends may be sprung out of the loops and .the loops removed, and vice versa.

B represents the bail, which is preferably made of a .continuous length of wire twisted as shown, and having loops pivoted on the trunnions c projecting from the sides of the receptacle. These trunnions are preferabl formed of a single length of bent wire (i, having the projecting end c passing through a hole in the side of the receptacle, and having the curved end c passing through similar holes in the side of the receptacle, as shown in Figs. 3 and Ll. The outwardly projecting end c is provided with a pivoted locking piece c: which when tui'ned on vend may be passed through the hole in the receptacle and through the eye in the bail B, but which will lock said bail against slipping off the truniiioii when said piecel c2 is turned to the position shown in Figs. 1 to 3.

At one side of the receptacle the bail is provided with a curved arm b, projecting beyond the trunnions as shown inV Figs. 2 and 3, which arm operates the mechanism for lifting the hinged covei, as will be hereinafter described. y

The top of the receptacle is closed mainly by the hinged cover E, but partly by the plate D, `which slides on the rear upper portion of the receptacle from the rear, and is locked in pla-ce by the transverse rods L and M2 to be hereinafter described.

The hinged cover E is provided with a downwardly projecting flange e, adapted to close the opening a@ at the upper edge of the front face of the receptacle, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4, and the sides of this cover tit snugly along the top of the sides A3 and A4 of the receptacle.v The front edge of the cover is provided with a reinforcing wire G, secured thereto in any convenient way, preferably by means of detachable U-bolts g and nuts, as shown in Fig. 7 and the ends of this wire are bent over as at g to engage the bail should the attempt be made to lift the cover without lifting the bail. This renders it impossible to lift the cover without first swinging up the bail, and will thus prevent cats, or other animals, from lifting up the cover in order to secure access to the contents of the receptacle.

The cover is provided with aliinged rod vor wire H', which is preferably V-shaped to form a stiffening rib for the top of the cover, and is bent as at la. and Il? to form trunnions for the cover. @ne of these trunnions h2 is provided with a projecting arm h3, pivotally connected to the operating bar I, as will be hereinafter described.

This rod H is held in place by a plate H which is secured tothe cover E by means of the screw lio and the U-bolts f', which latter engage the cioss rod F looped as at fo to pass ovei the part /t of the i'od H', and having the projecting ends which ends serve as stops for the bailV B.

The position of these stops may be adjusted to give more tilt t'o the lid by reversyingkthe U-bolts j, thus fixing the cross rod side of the receptacle A, as shown mostV clearly in Fig. 2.

K represents a link whichis also preferably made of bent wire, having the outwai'dly projecting arms /c and 7c', and the bent central portion 7a2, which bent central portion projects downward, as at ,763, see Fig. 2 `This bent central portion lhas a double function, in that it serves to hold the link K hat up against the face of the receptacle,

without any tendency of the link to become twisted, and the downwardly projecting portion /03 serves as a stop to engage the arm ofthe ope 'ating rod T, and thus to pievent the arm 7c of the link from falling out of the path of the curved arm Z) projecting frein the bail B, as shown in Figs. 2 and This link has the outwardly projecting arm le engaging in the loop 'i' of the bar l, and the other outwardly projecting arm lo lies in the path of the travel of the curved arm Z) projecting from the bail B. v Y

L represents a tie bolt or rod which serves the double function of locking the sliding piece D in place, and also supporting the rear end of the seat piece M, as will be hereinafter described. This bar L is preferably provided t hinged lock o already described in connec tion with the operating bar I.

The seat piece M (see Figs. l and 5), consists of two curved plates M secured on the curved rod M2, which rod is substantially U-shaped and has arms m terminatingin front supports m of the seat piece, which front supports rest on the sides of the main receptacle A. The two plates slope slightly inward, and the louter sides m3 of these plates are cuived to lit snugly over the sides of the main receptacle, and these with a'liinged lock Z similar to the platespreferably terminate in the curvedl lugs m", all as shownV most clearly in Fig. 5. The arms m of the rod M2 rest on the vcross rod L, as shown in Fig. 4L, and thus a strong support for the rear end of theseat projecting above the top of the receptacle and with a downwardly `projecting arm a3 engaging' in the U-bolt no, which is in construction similar to the U-bolt g shown in Fig. 7.

rilhis leveling device may be operated from the outside of the vessel entirely clear of the top. .in order to separate the solid materials, such as vegetable parings, `or the like, from the liquid materials, such as slops, or the like, l provide a separatereceptacle P for the liquid material, adapted to iit snugly into the forward end of the main receptacle, and to be removed therefrom by means of the bail p, and emptied separately before the main receptacle is emptied.

In order to protect as far as practicable the inner walls of the main receptacle from soiling or corrosion by the contents thrown into the same, l preferably provide a coating of paper X, (see Fig. l), such as a paperbag, or a paper lining, or the like, and which, when the receptacle is emptied, will fall out together with the contents of the same, leaving the bottom and walls of the receptacle protected by such paper lin ing fairly clean.

rThe operation of the device is as follows When used as a garbage can the bucket P can be removed and the leveling device N may either be allowed to remain in place or be removed as it then has no special utility.

lf the device is to be used as a commode, for which it is primarily intended, the bucket P and leveling device N should both be in place. By movingl the bail B from the position shown in Figs. 1, 2 and el, to the positionv shown in Fig. 3, the arm Z) of the bail will be caused to engage the arm 7c of the link K, and the operating bar l will be moved from the position shown in Fig. 2 to that shown in Fig. 3, which will swing lthe lid E to the open position shown in Fig. 3, in which position, beyond the perpendicular it will remain until the bail B is swung in the reverse direction for swinging down the `lid E.

hen the lid is raised the soldier, or patient. seats himself on the plates M of the seat piece M, and the fecal matter will fall into the main receptacle in rear of the bucket l), while the urine drawn during the stool will fall into the bucket P, and is thus kept separate from the fecal matter.

' s'the fecal matter piles up or pyramids in the receptacle, its crest may be broken off or leveled by turning of the leveling device N, when the loop n will remove the top ef the mass, and thus the commode may be used by a large number of persons without danger of ari?,7 one being soiled in any way.

liv having the front wall of the receptacle out away as att/,0, and making the receptacle low so that the users have to bend their knees upward when at stool, danger of soiling the legs or clothing of the user from contact with the front wall of the receptacle is avoided.

he handle of the bucket P being swung forward as shown in Fig. is also unlikely lto be soiled by the users of the device.

lt will be noted that the lid is lifted by lifing the bail, and that the leveling device is operated from the exterior of the receptacle, so that there is no necessity for any one of the users of the device to become soiled in any Way.

i have estimated that a receptacle of convenient size, used as a trench commode, will supply the needs of about fifty men if emptied once only in twenty-four hours. 1t may be used in the trenches during the day time and safely emptied at' night.

In order to empty the same, lift the lid, remove the bucket l and pour out its contents, and then vdump out the more solid contents of the receptacle. A ly having the fecal mattei' and the urine se1)arated,both may be readily removed from the receptacle, and the formation of a gluey, sticky, eilensive mass, such as will occur when the two are mixed, will be avoided.

The paper bag or lining used in the fecal compartment, will enable the fecal mattei' to be poured out without adhering to the inner sides of the receptacle.

1V hile the device is specially adapted for use in the trenches `or in military encampments, `or in hospitals, it is also adapted for use on faru'gs or at other places where there is no suitable sewerage system 5 or where it is desired to preserve the 1exc-reta for use as a fertilizer.

The device may be used in such places with or without a suitable disinfectant for several days and then carried away and emptied.

It has been found in practice that in the use of the device either by men or women, a similar separation of the urine from the fecal matter will result, owing to the location of the urine bucket in Yfron-t of the fecal chamber and in front of and below the seat.

It will thus be seen that l provide a portable device of convenient site which may be used either as garbage can or as a commode; and .vhich. when used as a commode, permits the separation of the urine from the fecal mattei', and the ready duu1p- `ing out of both; also which may be used consecutively by a large numl of persons without danger of soiling any one of the users.

`1 I 1. for convenience in shipment purposely construct the device so that the various parts may be knocked down and put together again, and so that a number of the main receptacles and also of the inclosed buckets may be nested.

To knock-down the apparatus, suppose 1t Vto be set up complete as shown in Figs. l

to Ll, remove the rod L and slide back the rear section ofthe top and detach the lifter therefrom, now remove the lid by unscrewing the screws /r-O and U-bolts f', remove the triangular top piece H, spring out theV receptacle will be free from protuberances,

and a series of same may be nested together'. It will be obvious also that a series of buckets P may be nested together.

To assemble the parts, insert the back piece D of the top, put in the rod L, spring in the leveling device, put on the seat piece, put in the lid lifter, put on the lid,l fasten the plate H over the lid lifter and lid, insert the link K in the operating rod, insert the operating rod in its guide and connect the operating rod to the crank h3 and put the handle pivot and handle in place and insert the bucket P. The parts will then be in the assembled position as indicated in Fig. 4.

It will be noted that when the apparatus is set up for any of its various uses, the lid is securely connected to the receptacle and cannot be removed without disassembling the entire device. This will prevent the accidental loss of the cover, with the consequent ineffectiveness of the apparatus, and will also save the additional trouble of having to lift the cover from the ground, or to find it when it is mislaid; the cover being always firmly attached to the receptacle when it is in use.

I have shown the various operating, lifting and reinforcing rods made of round `wire, this for convenience in manufacture;

but flat bars might obviously be substituted in a number of places for the round wire.

It will also be obvious that various other modifications might be made in the apparatus, and in the construction, combination `and arrangement of parts which could be used without departing from the spirit of my invention; and I do not mean to limit the invention to such details except as particularly pointed out in the claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I 'claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the-United States is 1. A device of the character described, comprising a receptacle, a hinged lid for same, a bail and means automatically op- -same, a bail and means automatically opererated by the lifting of said bail for lifting said lid, a seatpiece detachably mounted on the top and rear of said receptacle, and covered by said lid when closed, and a bucket detachably mounted in said receptacle in front of said seat, substantially as described.

2. A device of the character described, comprising a receptacle, a hinged lid for ated by the lifting ofV said bail for lifting said lid, lugs carried by said lid and normally engaging said bail and preventing the lifting of said lid independently of said bail, a seat piece detachably mounted on the top and rear of said receptacle, and covered by said lid when closed, and a bucket detachably mounted in said receptacle in front of said seat, substantially as described.

3. A device of the character described, comprising a receptacle cut away on its front upper edge, a hinged lid for same having a downwardly projecting flange registering with said cut away portion of the receptacle, a bail and means automatically operated by the lifting of said bail for lifting said lid, a seat piece detachably mounted on the top and rear of said receptacle, and covered by said lid when closed, and a' bucket detachably mounted in said receptacle in front of said seat, substantially as described.

4. A device of the character described, comprising a receptacle cut away on its front upper edge, a hinged lid for same having a downwardly projecting flange registering with said cut away portion of the receptacle, a bail and means automatically operated by the lifting of said bail for lifting said lid, lugs carried by said lid and normally engaging said bail and preventing the lifting of said ylid independently of said bail, a seat piece detachably mounted on the top and rear of said receptacle, and covered by said lid when closed, and a 110 bucket detachably mounted in said receptacle in front of said seat, substantially as described.

5. A device of the character described, comprising a receptacle, a hinged lid for 115 same, a bail and means automatically operated by the lifting of said bail for lifting said lid, a seat piece detachably mounted on the top and rear of said receptacle, and covered by said lid when closed, a leveling de- 120 vice pivoted in the rear portion of said receptacle and `operable from the exterior thereof, and a bucket detachably-mounted in said receptacle in front of said seat, substantially as described.

6. A device of the character described, comprising a receptacle, a hinged lid for same, a bailand means automatically operated by the lifting of said bail for lifting said lid, lugs carried by said lid and nor- 130 mally engaging said bail and preventing the lifting of said lid independently of said bail, a seat piece detachably mounted' on the top and rear of said receptacle, and covered by said lid when closed, a leveling device pivoted in the rear portion of said receptacle an d operable from the exterior thereof, and a bucket detachably mounted in said receptacle in lfront of said seat, substantially as described.

7. A device of the character described, comprising al receptacle cut away on its front upper edge, a hinged lid for same having a downwardly projecting flange registering with said cut away portion of the receptacle, a bail and means automatically operated by the lifting of said bail for lifting said lid, a seat piece detachably mounted on the top and rear of said receptacle, and covered by said lid when closed, a leveling device pivoted in the rear portion of said receptacle and operable from the exterior thereof, and a bucket detachably mounted in said receptacle in front of said seat, substantially as described.

8. A device of the character described, comprising a receptacle cut away on its front upper edge, a hinged lid for same having a downwardly projecting flange registering with said cut away portion of the receptacle, a bail and means automatically operated by the lifting of said bail for lifting said lid, lugs carried by said lid and normally engaging said bail and preventing the lifting of said lid independently of said bail, a seat piece detachably mounted on the top and rear of said receptacle, and covered by said lid when closed, a leveling device pivoted in the rear portion of said receptacle and operable from the exterior thereof, and a bucket detachably mounted in said receptacle in front of said seat, substantially as described.

9. A device of the character described, comprising a receptacle cut away on its front upper edge, a hinged lid for same having a downwardly projecting flange registering with said cut away portion of the receptacle, a bail and means automatically operated by the lifting of said bail for liftmounted on the top and rear of said receptacle, and covered by said lid when closed, substantially as described.

10. A device of the character described, comprising a receptacle cut away on its front upper edge, a hinged lid for same having a downwardly projecting flange registering with said cut away portion of the receptacle, a bail and means automatically operated by the lifting of said bail for lifting said lid, lugs carried by said lid and normally engaging` said bail and preventing the lifting of said lid independently of said bail, and a seat piece detachably mounted mg said lid, and a seat piece dctachablyon the top and rear of said receptacle', and covered by said lid when closed, substantially as described.

1l. A device of the character described, comprising a receptacle, a hinged lid for same, a bail and means automatically operated by the lifting of said bail for lifting said lid, a seat piece detachably mounted on the top and rear of said receptacle, and covered by said lid when closed, and a leveling device pivoted in the rear portion of said receptacle and operable from the exterior thereof, substantially as described.

l2. A device of the character described, comprising a receptacle, a hinged lid for same, a bail and means automatically operated by the lifting of said bail for lifting said lid, lugs carried by said lid and normally engaging said bail and preventing the lifting of said lid independently of said bail, a seat piece detachably mounted on the top and rear of said receptacle, and covered by said lid when closed, and a leveling device pivoted in the rear portion of said receptacle and operable from the exterior' thereof, substantially as described.

13. A device of the character described, comprising a receptacle cut away on its front upper edge, a hinged lid for same having a downwardly projecting flange registering with said cut away portion of the receptacle, a bail and means automatically operated by the lifting of said bail for lifting said lid, a seat piece detachably mounted on the top and rear of said receptacle, and covered by said lid when closed, and a leveling device pivoted in the rear portion of said receptacle and operable from the exterior thereof, substantially as described.

14. A device of the character described, comprising a receptacle cut away on its Vfront upper edge, a hinged lid for same having a downwardly projecting flange registering with said cut away portion of the receptacle, a bail and means automatically operated by the lifting of said bail for lift`I ing said lid, lugs carried by said lid and normally engaging said bail and preventing the lifting of said lid independently of said bail, a seat piece detachably mounted on the top and rear of said receptacle, and covered by said lid when closed, and a leveling device pivoted in the rear portion of said receptacle and operable from the exterior thereof, substantially as described.

15. A device of the character described, comprising a receptacle cut away on its front upper edge, a hinged lid provided with a crank arm and having a downwardly projecting flange register-ing with said cut away portion of the receptacle, a pivoted bail provided with an arm projecting from one of its pivots, a sliding operating shaft hinged to said crank arm, and a link hinged to said operating rod and having a projecting arm adapted to engage said arm on the bail, substantially as described.

1G. A device of the character described, comprising a receptacle cut away on its front upper edge, a hinged lid `provided with a crank arm for same having a downwardly projecting flange registering with said cut away portion of the receptacle, a pivoted bail provided with an arm projecting from one oi' its pivots, a sliding operating shaft hinged to said crank arm, a link hinged to said operating. rod and having a projecting arm adapted to engage said arm on the bail, and a scat piece detachably mounted on the top and rear of said receptacle, and covered by said lid when closed, substantially as described.

17. A device of the character described, comprising a receptacle, a hinged lid therefor provided with a crank arm, a pivoted bail provided with an arm projecting from one of its pivots, a sliding operating shaft hinged to said crank arm, and a link hinged to said operating rod and having a projecting arm adapted to engage said armon the bail, substantially described.

18. A device of the character described, comprising a receptacle, a hinged lid therefor provided with a crank arm, a pivoted bail provided with an arm projecting from one of its pivots, a sliding operating shaft hinged tosaid crank arm, a link hinged to said operating rod and having a projectingarm adapted to engage said arm on the bail, and a seat piece detachably mounted on the top and rear of said receptacle, and covered by said lid when closed, substantially as described.

19. A device of the character described,

comprising a receptacle, a hingedr lid there-V for provided with a crank arm, a pivoted bail provided with an arm projecting from one of its pivots, a sliding operating shaft hinged to said crank arm, a link hinged to said ope 1ating rod andhaving a j irojecting arm adapted to engage said arm on. the bail, a seat piece mounted on the top and rear of said receptacle, and covered by said lid when closed, and a leveling device pivoted in the rear portion of said receptacle and operable from the exterior thereof,substantially as described.

20. A device of the character described, comprising a receptacle, a hinged lid therefor provided with a crank arm, a pivoted bail provided with an arm projecting from one of its pivots, a sliding operating shaft Vhinged to said crank arm, a link hinged to said operating rod and having a projecting arm adapted to engage said arm on the bail, a seat piece mounted on the top and rear of said receptacle, and covered by said lid when closed, a leveling device pivoted in the rear portion of said receptacle and operable from the exterior thereof, and a bucket detachably mounted in said receptacle in front of said seat, substantially as described. v

21...A device of the character described, comprising a receptacle, a hinged lid therefor provided with a crank arm, a pivoted bail provided with an arm projecting from one ofits pivots, a sliding operating shaft hinged to said crank arm, and a link hinged to said operating rod and having a projecting arm adapted to engage said arm'on the bail, with stops Vcarried by said lid and adapted to engage said bail and prevent said lid from being lifted independent of said bail, substantially as described.

22. device of the character described, comprising a receptacle, a hinged lid therefor provided with a crank arm, a pivoted bail provided with an arm projecting from one of its pivots, asliding operating shaft hinged tosaid crank arm, a link hinged to said operating red and having a projecting arm adaptedv to engage said arm on the bail, with stops carried by said lid and adapted to engage said bail and prevent said lid from being lifted independent of said bail, and a scat piece detacliably mounted on the top and rear of said receptacle, and covered by said lid when closed, substantially as described. Y

23. A device of the character described, comprising a receptacle cut away.' on vits front u )per edge, a hinged lid for same having a downwardly projecting flange` registering with said cut away portion of the receptacle, a bail and means automatically operated by the lifting of said bail for lifting said lid, with stops carried by said lidand adapted to engage said bail, and prevent said lid from being lifted independent of said bail, a seat piece detachably mounted on the top and rear of said receptacle, and covered by said lid when closed, and a level-V ing device pivoted in ther-ear portion of said receptacle and operable from the exterior thereof, substantially as described.

24k. Adcvice of the character described, comprising a receptacle Y cut away Von its front upper edge, a hinged lid for same having a downwardly projecting flange registering with said cut away portion of the receptacle, abail and means automatically operated by the lifting of saidbail for lifting said lid,lugs carried kby said lid and normally engaging said bail and preventingr the lifting of said lid independently of said bail, with stops carried by said lid and adapted to engage said bail and prevent said f ,HOVARD EMERSON AMES. 

